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The most popular baby names for 2018 - revealed!

The most popular baby names from 2018 have finally been officially revealed by the Office of National Statistics. Olivia and Oliver are up there again in the number one spot for both boys and girls. See the top five names for boys and girls below:

1. Oliver

2. George

3. Harry

4. Noah

5. Jack

 

1. Olivia

2. Amelia

3. Ava

4. Isla

5. Emily

Take a look at the Office of National Statistics website https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/livebirths/bulletins/babynamesenglandandwales/2018 to see how popular your favourite baby names are.

How have the top baby names changed over the years?

Oliver has been the most popular name for six years now and Olivia has had the top slot for three. The top ten for both boys and girls remained fairly stable over the last few years. There was only one change this year for the boys with Arthur replacing Jacob and two changes for the girls, with Sophia and Grace replacing Poppy and Lily.

We seem to be getting more adventurous in our choice of names for new babies.

Less than half (45%) of babies born in the UK in 2018 were given names from the list of the top 100 most popular baby names, whereas in 1996 two thirds (67%) were given names within the top 100. This means we are becoming more diverse in our choice of names, moving from the traditional to a more individual choice. Younger mums were even more likely to chose less traditional names for their new babies, with mums under the age of 25 being more likely to pick names such as Hunter, Logan and Harper. These younger mums are also more likely to pick abbreviated versions of names and names that include a hyphen. Mums over the age of 35 are more likely to pick the full version of more traditional names such as Alexander and William and no hyphenated names appeared in the top 200 for this older group of mums.

What influences our choice of names for new babies?

There are many factors that can influence our choice of names. Often we will name our babies after a family member but we can also be influenced by fashion and celebrity culture. Names that were popular mid century such as Keith, Roger and Barry or Jean, Susan and Janet have fallen out of favour today and we seem to prefer turn of the century names such as Oliver, Jack, Ivy and Florence. Celebrities can also have an impact on the popularity of a name, David and Victoria Beckham's little girl Harper has inspired lots of other little Harpers and the name has risen 831 places to reach 27th place in 2018. The name Alexa has become significantly less popular, halving in popularity from 2017 - 2018. It's a tricky name to use now that calling for your child will activate your Amazon device! 

 

It can be hard to find ways to entertain small children on a rainy summer's day, especially if you also have a new baby at home. So we have put together our favourite easy recipes to make with kids. Posh food this is not - but these recipes are simple enough for even the littlest of hands to have a go. We know that you don't want to spend two minutes cooking and three hours cleaning the kitchen (we've all been there) so hopefully these recipes won't make an big mess, but will keep the kids entertained for a while and will also encourage them to eat their dinner.

Our Christening Top Tips

With the latest Royal Christening due to take place on the 6^th July at St George’s chapel in Windsor, we are sure that Meghan and Harry have had lots of help in organising little Archie’s big day! If you are not lucky enough to have royal connections and you are wondering whether a Christening is a good idea for your little one, we have a list of top tips to think about when planning a Christening.

The traditional route

If you would like your child to be brought up as a Christian and you have a strong Christian faith, then a traditional Christening is a wonderful way to begin this journey. A more relaxed church and clergy will also welcome you into the church and the community even if you are not regular churchgoers but would like to celebrate the new addition to your family with your church and community. Our top tip is to suss out your local vicar to see what he or she will go for in their church, maybe ask friends who have gone down this route for some advice.

Maybe consider a blessing?

A top tip if you're not sure about a full Christening service but would still like a church based celebration, is to consider a church blessing or thanksgiving service. These are ideal if you would like your child to be welcomed into the Christian church without the full commitment of a baptism service. Your best bet is to have a chat to your local vicar or minister and they will be able to tell you what they are willing to do in their church. Some may even allow to you to have an input in the wording used or allow you to choose whether the service is part of a main church service or a separate event.I

Think about a secular naming day celebration

f you have no religious beliefs and would prefer a secular celebration then there are some lovely options to choose from. You can book a naming ceremony at your local registry office, or, as with weddings, lots of venues can hold a naming ceremony for you. You could arrange for a celebrant from the British Humanist Association to led the ceremony or you could lead it yourself at home. You can play music, read poems and celebrate your child with family and friends. Instead of godparents you can choose supporting adults or mentors to love and support your child as they grow.

Choosing Godparents

Choosing godparents or supporting adults for your child can be a wonderful gift for them as they grow and develop. Asking close friends or family to play an important role in your little person's life, lending them an ear or offering advice as they grow up, is a lovely thing to do. Choose people who you think will still be in your life in twenty years and more, someone who will offer a different perspective from you but who you can trust to love and protect your child if needed. It is traditional for girls to have two godmothers and one godfather and boys to have two godfathers and one godmother, although it is entirely up to you how many you choose.

What should baby wear?

Whichever way you decide to celebrate you will want to make sure that baby looks extra cute on their special day. Whether you have a family Christening robe handed down from generation to generation or you go shopping for a special outfit, remember that baby will more than likely have to eat at some point during the day, so it might be worth considering a couple of special bibs and muslins to protect their outfit until the photos have been taken! Also, churches can be cold so make sure you have a blanket in case baby gets cold. Finally, make sure you have something to occupy older children and siblings during the ceremony so you can enjoy at least some of the day without distractions.

Bringing family and friends together to celebrate the new addition to your family is a wonderful way to create some special memories for you all. Today we have so many options available to us that we can mix and match and choose a celebration that really suits our lives and beliefs. Our final and most important top tip is to make sure that you enjoy the day as a family, eat cake, drink tea (or wine if you prefer!) talk, laugh and relish spending time with special friends and family.

So, why does a new baby hamper make the perfect new baby gift?

It can be hard to think of a great gift for a new mum and baby. You don't want to get something they may already have but you want to get them something they will love. Ideally you want to find something memorable and unique that is both practical and beautiful. Sounds like a tall order? This is why a new baby hamper  makes the perfect new baby gift.

New baby gift hampers contain a selection of gifts for both a new mum and baby. Ranging from skincare to baby clothes to treats for mum, they come perfectly packaged in a box or basket that can be re-used as nursery storage. Here at Babyblooms our new baby gift hampers range in price from £50 to £250 so there is something to suit every budget.

Best Maternity Leave Gift

Finding the perfect new baby gift for a maternity leave present can be daunting. If colleagues club together to buy a gift for a friend then the budget can be substantial. This is when a baby hamper makes the perfect new baby gift. Containing a selection of products carefully chosen for a new mum and baby, a luxury baby hamper will come beautifully presented - ideal for presenting to the expectant mum to wish her well.

Here at Babyblooms we have a lovely selection of new baby hampers and baskets. From pink to blue to neutral colours we can add baby's name to the hamper if required to create a personalised gift. Our best selling hamper is our Little Pink Bunny Welcome Baby Hamper. This hamper contains a selection of our all-natural skincare, a baby clothes bouquet and a cute little bunny, all packaged in one of our gorgeous illustrated gift boxes and available for next day delivery - perfect. Our larger hampers are fabulous for those with a larger budget. Our My First Years hamper contains enough fabulous goodies to take mum and baby right through their first year. Take a look at our lovely range of new baby hampers and find the one that will make your perfect new baby gift.

At the time of writing we are at the start of some warmer weather and love it or hate it, the hot weather can be tricky with a new baby around. There is some great general advice out there around safer sleeping with your baby and this link (https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/safer-sleep-advice/) is a great place to start, but as always, if you are worried about your baby give your GP or health visitor a call. In the meantime, we have put together our top tips - on how to keep your baby cool in hot weather.

Check the temperature in baby's room

Dig out a room thermometer, then take a look at the chart below for some guidance on how to dress baby at bedtime in the heat. This is handy information but you know your baby best so this is intended as a guide. Usually baby's room will cool down as evening turns into night so it might be worth checking the temperature again before you go to bed. It is best to check baby's temperature by gently touching the back of their neck or their tummy, it is normal for a baby's hands and feet to feel cool to the touch but this doesn't always give you an accurate indication of how warm they actually are.

Just whilst the weather is particularly warm it is worth removing any waterproof mattress cover as the plastic retains heat and can cause baby to sweat.

Cool down baby and nursery

Create as much of a breeze as possible, open the windows but draw the curtains two thirds of the way across to keep out the sun. Open a loft hatch if you have one and some of the hot air should escape upwards.

At bedtime, a quick, tepid bath before bed should cool baby down and placing some large (one litre or more) frozen bottles of water in baby's room overnight will cool the room as it melts. If you have a fan in the room, placing the bottles (or a large bowl of ice) in front of the fan will cool the air.

Tips for cooling baby in the daytime

In the daytime it is best to dress baby in loose cotton clothing with a wide brimmed hat and any baby under 6 months old should be kept out of the sun as their delicate skin has less melanin than older children and so they will sunburn much more easily. As very young babies do not perspire effectively they can overheat very quickly so care should be taken not to leave them for too long in a very hot room or car.

If it is very warm and humid and baby gets a bit sweaty they may develop a little bit of heat rash, which looks like tiny red bumps around the neck, groin, back of the knees or crease of the elbow. If you cool baby down and remove any tight clothing this should just disappear by itself, but again if you are concerned give your GP or health visitor a call and they can give you more tips on how to keep baby cool in hot weather.

Watch out for dehydration

Dehydration can be an issue for little babies in the heat and it is worth keeping a check on how many wet nappies your baby has. A breastfed baby does not need additional water, but will probably need to feed more often, so make sure mum gets lots of cool drinks. A bottle- fed baby can have cooled, boiled water throughout the day and night in addition to their normal feeds. Again, if you think your little baby might be dehydrated, have a chat with your doctor.

We here at Babyblooms HQ hope these tips help baby (and you!) get a bit more sleep during those long, hot summer nights and show you how to keep your baby cool in hot weather. Stop by again soon for more baby life hacks and new baby gift ideas.

Baby Bedtime Nursery Temperature Guide. 

Why is a personalised hooded towel a perfect new baby gift?

There is so much choice when it comes to buying a gift for a new baby it can be hard to know where to start. Tiny clothes look really cute but babies grow so quickly that they don't always get the wear they deserve. If you are looking for a thoughtful, practical gift for a new baby then a personalised hooded towel is a great option.

Hooded towels are so useful for little ones. Not only do they make bath time warm and snuggly, they are ideal for putting on straight after swimming when baby can get chilly. A hooded towel is also perfect for playing on the beach or in the paddling pool. At Babyblooms our towels are made from the softest toweling material. The hood keeps little heads warm and the towels are big enough to wrap round and round for lots of cosy cuddles. Our hooded towels also loved by wiggly toddlers, who can wrap themselves up and stay warm after the bath or swimming pool.

So, a hooded towel is an essential item for a new mum and will certainly get lots of use - but how do you make it a special enough to give as a gift? Here at Babyblooms we have the answer! We would be delighted to personalise your hooded towel for you with the new baby's name using our luxurious embroidery process. This makes the towel very special for the new mum and creates a thoughtful and unique gift. It also makes sure that baby uses his or her own towel which is recommended by health professionals for hygiene reasons. They have their own hooded towel for home or out and about at a paddling pool or swimming pool so they will never get mixed up with anyone else's or lost for any reason.

We also pride ourselves on our packaging and so we will make sure that your gift is beautifully gift wrapped in one of our exclusive illustrated gift boxes with a gift card bearing your message. And as we can embroider your towel ourselves at Babyblooms HQ we can send your gift out for next day delivery.

We also have some gorgeous gift hampers that include our personalised hooded towels. Take a look at our Cosy Cuddles Gift Set or our Personalised Three Little Bunny Luxury New Baby Hamper for some more gorgeous new baby gift ideas.

So what makes your spring baby special? From creativity to optimism to leadership skills, what does being born in the spring mean for your baby? Let’s look at 6 facts about spring babies and why they are extra-special.

Sunny personality

Being born in the spring sunshine seems to create a sunnier disposition. Spring babies score high on the hyperthymic scale. meaning that they are more likely to be optimistic as they go through life. This leads to another fact about spring babies – they are less likely to develop mental health problems when they are older. Being born in those sunnier spring months certainly seems to pay off!

Leadership potential

It is a fact that spring babies are more likely to be CEOs when they grow up. Being born in March, April and May means that you may well reach the very top of your profession. Spring babies are also more like to be creative people. Data published in the journal Comprehensive Psychology analysed 300 public figures including celebrities, artists, scientists and politicians and most were born in the early spring. Your baby is also likely to fly high as most pilots are spring born babies!

Health benefits

There are some health benefits to being a spring baby. Your baby is less likely to develop allergies and respiratory infections if they are born in the spring. This is probably because they are born into a season full of pollen and allergens and so they learn to deal with these very early on.

Trouble at bedtime

Possibly one downside to having a spring baby is that they may prefer a later bedtime. The season of birth seems to correlate with sleep habits and spring and summer babies have internal body clocks programmed with longer days. This means that they may want to play when you are trying to wind down for bedtime.

Of course none of this is definitive and your baby’s own personality traits will far outweigh any impact from her birth season. But is is lots of fun to look at these 6 facts about spring babies and why they are extra-special – your spring baby is likely to be optimistic, cheerful, successful and fun!

What does a new mum want for Mother’s Day?

We think a lie in might well be number one, but failing that we have the top five mother’s day gifts for new mums in 2019.

Mothering Sunday, or Mother’s Day, has become a celebration of motherhood in all its forms, a chance to show some love and appreciation to mum for all that she does. Who else knows where the spare nappies are kept, or the ‘right’ way to set up the train track for the toddler? Without mum, how would the pile of dirty washing be magically transformed into clean folded clothes or the bedtime story be retold for the millionth time? OK – we know dads can do some of this stuff too, but Mother’s Day is one day in the year that is just for mum and we think it should be celebrated in style. New mums in particular need all the love and support they can get and so we have put together our top five Mother’s Day gifts for new mums in 2019.

The Top Five Mother’s Day Gifts in 2019

• We’re guessing the thing that most new mums would like best of all is some more sleep. If possible arrange a lie in, preferably with baby well out of earshot – this is undoubtedly the best gift money can’t buy for a new mum.
• It is absolutely amazing how much time a new baby can take up and mum may well be missing some uninterrupted ‘me time’. Our selection of lovely skincare can be just the thing to help mum feel more like herself again. We have designed a couple of gorgeous canvas pouches full of our favourite skincare treats, to spoil mum on Mother’s Day. Top if off with some delicious handmade chocolates and the door to the bathroom firmly closed – heaven!
• If baby is still very new and you are looking for the perfect mother’s day gift for a new mum, then our first Mother’s Day bouquet makes a beautiful, practical and stylish present. These baby clothes bouquets are a unique alternative to fresh flowers, the perfect little roses unfurl to reveal the softest babywear and the bouquets also include beautiful silk blooms for mum to keep.
• A first Mother’s Day is a memory to be treasured forever so how about something from our beautiful selection of jewellery? Babies grow so quickly and an everlasting reminder of those precious early days would be a very special gift.
• And not forgetting for a mum-to-be, this first Mother’s Day is really special. Maybe treat her to some pamper goodies with our mum-to-be skincare pamper gift or a relaxing foot rub and pamper session with our essential mum to be collection, giving her an opportunity to relax and unwind before baby arrives.

Mums are superheroes

Mums are superheroes and Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate her super powers. Life can be tricky with a new baby and each day can seem the same, so this is a chance for mum to step out of her normal routine and recharge her batteries. Let’s hear it for all the mums out there – they are all awesome!

All mums are superheros and deserve to be thoroughly spoilt on Valentine’s Day. Here are our top five Valentine’s Day Gifts for a new mum or mum to be along with some hints and tips to show her you care.

Welcoming a new baby changes everything and as a new mum or mum to be you are unlikely to be spending your Valentine’s Day dancing the night away or enjoying a fancy meal out (crashing out on the sofa in front of Netflix is more like it) but Valentine’s Day is a great reason to celebrate all those loving relationships, both new and old. Gestures of love from those around us can mean the world at this time.

The concept of true love takes on a whole new meaning for a new mum or mum to be. Real romance can be a lie in or a cup of tea, a relaxing bath or a foot rub to ease aching limbs. The most valued romantic gestures are those that allow us to recharge our batteries and reenergise ourselves for the days ahead. So, for dads and dads to be, grandmas, nanas and anyone else wishes to buy a Valentine’s Day gift for a new mum, we have some suggestions of Babyblooms Valentine’s Day gifts show your love and appreciation.

Top five Valentine’s Day gifts for a new mum or mum to be:

• Time to enjoy a long, uninterrupted relax in the bath with our lovely bath soak and a gorgeously scented relaxation candle. Or treat her to one of our skincare collections in one of our beautifully illustrated canvas pouches.

• A leg and foot massage with our cooling leg and foot cream to ease tired limbs.

• A cup of tea with our mummy bear mug to be enjoyed still hot with a box of chocolates (not to be shared).

• If mum has just given birth then our Valentine’s Day baby clothes bouquet definitely makes our top five Valentine’s Day gifts for a new mum.

• Finally, just being there, and telling her through the haze of hormones and sleepless nights that you love her is worth its weight in gold. A loving hug and a reassuring whisper “you’re doing brilliantly” is priceless.

Let’s not forget the source of all this new love, the precious bundle that has turned our life upside down. Although baby doesn’t know it’s Valentine’s Day they can still look super cute in a Valentine’s Day sleepsuit or cuddle our gorgeous Valentine’s Day Bertie Bear teddy bear.

Your baby’s first Christmas is a truly special and exciting time. But, as we know, it can also be very stressful especially if you already have older children.

To help, we here at Babyblooms have put together our list of ten top tips for parents to make life that little bit easier at Christmas time.

Christmas is a magical time, especially with young children but let’s not kid ourselves – unless you have an affinity with glitter or a team of elves at your disposal, it can be a stressful period for the person responsible for the majority of the organising. So here are our baby’s first Christmas top tips for parents…

Top Ten Christmas Tips

 

• In order for your toddler to help give out the presents on Christmas morning, stick pictures of the recipients to the presents rather than labels so they can see who to give them to.

• Use playdoh to pick up the glitter from any messy Christmas crafting sessions.

• Cover the doorway that leads to the Christmas tree and presents with large sheets of Christmas wrapping paper so that the kids have to break into the room.

• For a last-minute present, why not promise something that money cannot buy? Write a voucher for a lie in, back rub or day out (without the kids) for a unique and thoughtful gift. This is guaranteed to be a welcome Christmas gift for a new mum or dad. A thoughtful present that will be a really appreciated  treat following baby’s first Christmas.

• If your tree is looking a little bare or tired but you can’t afford a new one, or if your real tree is shedding its needles, buy some green tinsel and your tree will look fuller and more Christmassy without spending a fortune.

• Make some elf doughnuts to go with Santas mince pies on Christmas Eve. Take some cheerios and decorate with icing and sprinkles, perfect snacks for Santas little helpers.

• Keep the magic of Christmas going as long as possible by creating Santas footprints by the fireplace or door. Simply put a large shoe down on the floor and sprinkle icing sugar to create an outline so the children can see where the big man has been.

• When putting the Christmas decorations away trying wrapping the Christmas lights around a clothes hanger. You will be so pleased next year when you dont have to begin putting up the decorations by detangling the lights!

Baby's First Christmas Gifts

 

• If its your baby's first Christmas and your little one is still really tiny then they will probably sleep through most of the day. If they are a little bit older then they will be more interested in the wrapping paper, so why spend a huge amount of money on presents? Maybe buy a couple of lovely personalised gifts, such as christmas stockings or baubles to celebrate babys first Christmas; and then consider buying second hand. This is good for the environment and your pocket and your baby will be none the wiser. Or maybe think outside the box and wrap up a packet of wipes for baby to empty all over the floor, or some bubble wrap for them to pop. Simple ideas that will save you some cash.

• Finally, money may be tighter than usual, especially if one of you is staying at home to look after the baby. Why not consider homemade gifts, particularly for grandparents or aunties and uncles? You have produced this beautiful new addition to the family and so maybe rather than spending money on expensive gifts you could make a keepsake for them. A signed photo of baby or a handmade tree decoration using babys handprints or footprints would make a gift for them to treasure, especially if it is baby's first Christmas.

Merry Christmas from the team at Babyblooms!

Finding the perfect baby name for your new arrival is a tricky business. Do you go for a traditional name that has stood the test of time? Or do you choose something a bit more unusual? Take a look at our predictions for the top baby names in 2018 to see if your name will stand out from the crowd.

What baby names have been popular in 2018?

As a baby gifting company that offer a personalisation service, we are in a unique and privileged position of being able to spot the trends for top baby names. There is no doubt that some names are reassuringly familiar. Oliver, Jack and Harry are always popular, with Charlie, Noah and Muhammed not far behind. We seem to like girl's names that end with the letter a. We see Olivia, Mia, Ella, Ava Jessica, Sophia and Amelia on a regular basis. But what about those names that are a bit less popular?

Food inspired baby names

We have noticed some delicious food inspired baby names this year. Saffron, Olive, Brie, Cherry and Honey have all been seen along with Rocket, Herb and Angus. We predict that this tasty trend may well continue into 2019.

Names inspired by the Royal family

With a Royal wedding and a Royal baby in 2018 it is hardly surprising that we are seeing more Royal names. We have seen a couple of Louis, but Harry, William, Victoria, Charlotte, Arthur and George are also popular. With another Royal baby on the cards for 2019 we expect to see this trend continue, but we are waiting for our first Meghan!

Gender neutral names

This is a trend we have noticed over the last couple of years. We predict it will continue to grow. We have seen the names Riley, Frankie, Blake, Taylor and Harley given to both boys and girls. With the growing popularity of unisex and gender-neutral toys and activities for babies and children this could be a trend to watch for the future.

We here at Babyblooms love to see our personalised gifts heading off to all the newborn babies. We can't know what names we will see trending in the coming months but our hunch is that we may see more common names spelt in an unusual way. such as Jackson and Jaxon. Finding the right name can be almost as hard as having a baby and we can't wait to see what the top baby names will be in 2019!

Here at Babyblooms we pride ourselves on knowing what mums want and so we were thrilled to hear that we had an award winning baby hamper! Our My First Years hamper won a the Consumer Choice award for the Best Baby and Toddler Gear 2018. We love this hamper because we have designed it to be both beautiful and practical for a new mum. It is packed full of gorgeous gifts that will take baby right through to their first birthday and beyond.

The Ultimate Award Winning New Baby Hamper

If you are looking for the ultimate new baby gift, then take a look at this hamper. We have really thought about creating a gift full of beautiful essentials to delight a new mum.

For the perfect cosy bed time we have included our gorgeous Little Love cupcake pyjamas, bathrobe and blanket. Beautifully illustrated with our exclusive Babyblooms print, our soft and snuggly bedtime range will guarantee a comfy night's sleep. To add to this, we have included a white supersoft snuggle wrap, perfect for swaddling and also our three muslin squares for any little spills. Our Little Bunny toys make the best first friends for baby and our gorgeous teddy bear sits proudly displaying the year baby was born. Finally, our ice-cream bib, cupcake socks and sock lollipops make fun treats for a new baby.

All this is beautifully presented in a luxury, lined gift basket, this hamper is an impressive present for a new mum. We can even personalise the hamper for you free of charge!

If you are looking for the perfect gift for a new mum and baby, why not take a look at our hamper collection. We have gorgeous gift sets that start from 30, packed full of carefully selected goodies to treat both mum and baby.

Best Baby and Toddler Gear Award	My First Year Hamper -Unisex

 

 

 

We here at Babyblooms recognise the challenge of getting the kids ready in the morning and this challenge is definitely made easier if kids wear clothes they love. Most kids love to see their names on their t-shirt or backpack but is this putting your child at risk? Thankfully, incidents of stranger danger and child abduction are very rare but some parenting websites are recommending that you ditch the personalised items when out and about. This is because if a stranger approaches your child and knows their name the stranger will appear much friendlier, and your child is more likely to trust them.

So, what’s the solution?

Well, personalised clothing is fine at home or at nursery, but how can you find unique clothes that kids will love to wear out without including their name? customising their clothes might well be the answer. We have developed our brand new “Pick ‘n’ Mix” range of children’s t-shirts ranging from 0 – 6 months to 5 – 6 years that allows kids to pick the colour of their t-shirt and then the logo of their choice.

We believe that if children choose the colour and design on their t-shirt then they will feel special when they are wearing it and hopefully will have no objection to getting dressed in the morning! So when you have a little girl who loves tractors but only wears pink, or a little boy who dreams of flying to the moon in a sparkly rocket, take a look at these customiseable t-shirts  https://www.babyblooms.co.uk/collections/personalised-kids-t-shirts and choose a t-shirt your child will love to wear.

The best thing  about Babyblooms’ range is that the personalisation is optional so you can make the best choice for your child to keep them safe when out and about.

 

The days are longer, the weather is warmer, and your garden is finally in bloom-  so what better way to make the most of it than by hosting the perfect outdoor baby shower? To help you throw a memorable shower, I've put together my top tips for throwing a beautiful outdoor celebration that's sure to make any mother-to-be feel truly spoilt. Just read on to learn more.

Create a gorgeous seating area

The first thing you'll need to think about is where everyone will sit. If you're going to be hosting lots of guests and don't have enough chairs to accommodate them, you could even create a larger seating area by laying blankets and cushions on your lawn - not only will this be comfy, but it looks wonderfully summery and festive, too.

If any of your friends will be bringing their own bundle of joy along with them to the shower, then you should set up your seating area underneath a gazebo or awning. Our little ones have very delicate skin, so it's very important to provide a bit of shelter from the strong summer sun: one of these garden gazebos from Wyevale Garden Centres should be big enough to comfortably seat everyone. Plus, it'll mean you don't have to dash inside if there's an unexpected downpour.

Decorate your garden to perfection

Once you've worked out your seating area, you can begin planning your decorations. The aim of the game is to make the mum-to-be feel spoilt rotten, so bear her tastes in mind as much as possible: for instance, you could decorate your seating area with some arrangements of her favourite flowers, or some balloons in her favourite colours. If your guests will be staying into the evening, then some fairy lights or candlelit lanterns are a must.

Create a summery buffet menu

No baby shower is complete without some delicious nibbles. You don't want to spend the whole party slaving away in the kitchen, so serve a buffet of cold finger foods: you can find some ideas in BBC Good Food's round-up of the best baby shower recipes. If your friend has opted to find out whether her baby is a boy or girl, then you could even go the extra mile and add a touch of pink or blue to your menu. Simply add a little food colouring to the recipe, or dust over some pink or blue edible glitter: these pots from The Cake Decorating Co are sure to add some sparkle to your dishes.

Celebrate with some refreshments

Don't neglect your refreshments, either. While the mother-to-be may not be drinking alcohol, other guests might still fancy something a little boozy, so it's a good idea to serve both a bit of both. You can easily add some gin or vodka to this mocktail pitcher recipe from the Spruce: just make sure it's obvious which drinks are alcohol-free, to avoid any accidental mix-ups! To make it clear, you could even label your booze-free pitchers with some tags written in pretty calligraphy.

If a close friend or family member has a summer baby on the way, then there's no better way to celebrate than with an outdoor shower. Remember, we stock a huge range of baby shower gifts, including mum-to-be-hampers, so there's no excuse not to spoil both mother and baby rotten!

Will we see more babies called Mary or Albert in 2019?

There is no doubt that more traditional baby names have been popular for a while, the trend in so called “old lady” names such as Ivy, Lottie and Bonnie, is growing, and the more traditional “old man” names such as Archie, Reggie and Arthur have been popular for a while. But does the choice of royal baby names affect the names chosen by us commoners?

The name George has always been popular in the UK, in 2012 it was ranked thirteenth in a list of most popular boy’s names but following the arrival of Prince George of Cambridge the name George has moved up the rankings and is predicted to be the fourth most popular name in 2018. Princess Charlotte has had a similar effect, with the name Charlotte moving from number 26 in 20014 to a predicted fourteenth place in 2018.

Royal baby name trends?

 

So, what will a new royal baby mean for baby naming trends in 2019? Well, if we are to believe the bookies, Kate is having a girl with the name Mary as their favourite at 3/1. We could also see an Alice (8/1), a Victoria (12/1) and an Elizabeth (14/1). If the new royal baby is a boy then Albert and Arthur are currently at 14/1 with Frederick at 16/1.

So, would you consider a royal name for your little prince or princess? A regal name has many benefits, it can suggest tradition and respectability and is easily recognisable to others which should avoid the embarrassment of mispronunciation and avoid the tedium of having to continuously spell it out.  Your child may, however, find themselves with lots of little friends also called Mary, Alice or Arthur.

At the time of writing we are still waiting for the third royal baby and we wish the Duchess of Cambridge all the very best for a swift and straightforward delivery. And who knows – Kate and William may not stick with tradition, William Hill is currently offering odds of 500/1 on the birth of a Princess Waynetta or Prince Nigel as fifth in line to the throne.